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Its definitely been a long times since I've posted a blog, the topics will change now from media and language to language and power. Today's topic is based around a question that had been given in class..
What did medieval linguist Antonio
de Nebrija mean
when he told Queen Isabella that:
“language is the perfect instrument of empire?” How
has language contributed to colonial power?
When Antonio de Nebrija had presented this to the Queen, with the use of this quote, it is believed that he was stating how the use of a language could be one of the most important "weapons" used when forming a colonial power. Exactly why is when ruling over people it is simply that much easier to control them when one specific language is being used. Meaning there would be no confusion and that you could stop any plots that are being planned against your rule as an monarch. However when looking at how it would be used for colonial reasons, a language could be used to infiltrate another culture and act like a virus in order to wipe this culture out and convert to what the invaders consider appropriate. Some of the most obvious examples were the Spanish and British effect on the America's, with the influence of Spanish and English, forcing Christianity upon the natives. Which would slowly cause their culture's, beliefs and languages to decay, resulting in the loss of their way of life.
To conclude, language plays one of the most crucial parts of establishing a colonial power, using it to control, influence and destroy. It has helped form a base for empires and ultimately cause their destruction.
Jarred, I think you had some really good ideas about how language can be used to control people and I also found interesting the association you made between the use of language and the use of a virus. Well done!
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